The Parent Version of the Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization Scale (SPTS-P): A Preliminary Validation

Abstract

Sensitivity to pain traumatization (SPT) is defined as the propensity to develop responses to pain that resemble a traumatic stress reaction. To date, SPT has been assessed in adults with a self-report measure (Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization Scale (SPTS-12)). SPT may also be relevant in the context of parenting a child with chronic pain, as many of these parents report clinically elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This study aimed to develop and validate a measure of parent SPT by adapting the SPTS-12 and evaluating its psychometric properties in a sample of parents whose children have chronic pain. In total, 170 parents (90.6% female) and children (aged 10–18 years, 71.2% female) were recruited from a tertiary chronic pain program. Parents completed the parent version of the SPTS-12 (SPTS-P) and measures of PTSS, depression, and parenting behaviors. Youth completed measures of pain. Consistent with the SPTS-12, the SPTS-P demonstrated a one-factor structure that accounted for 45% of the variance, adequate to good reliability and moderate construct validity. Parent SPT was positively related to their protective and monitoring behaviors but was unrelated to youth pain intensity, unpleasantness, and interference. These results provide preliminary evidence for the psychometric properties of the SPTS-P and highlight the interaction between parent distress about child pain and parent responses to child pain.

The Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization Scale–Child Version (SPTS-C): Development and preliminary validation

“… 14 This is also consistent with a parent version of the measure that accounted for 44.9% of variance in a sample of parents of youth with chronic pain. 15 As hypothesized, the SPTS-C demonstrated good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the SPTS-C is reliable for use in clinical pediatric chronic pain samples with a variety of chronic pain conditions (e.g., headaches, complex pain).…”

“…Of note, item 9 (i.e., “As soon as the pain starts, I ask my parents for medicine to make it not hurt as much”) had the lowest factor loading, similar to the corresponding item in the original measure and the parent version. 14 , 15 Given that the present study is a preliminary investigation of the new scale, the item was retained, and the wording was not changed. Future examinations of the scale may consider either removing the item or rewording it.…”

“…The new measure (i.e., the Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization Scale–Parent version [SPTS-P]) assesses a parent’s propensity to develop a traumatic stress reaction in response to their child’s pain and demonstrated good reliability and moderate construct validity. 15 Higher parent sensitivity to pain traumatization scores predicted higher levels of monitoring and protective parenting behaviors 15 but not youth pain outcomes.…”

Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization and Its Relationship to the Anxiety–Pain Connection in Youth with Chronic Pain: Implications for Treatment

“…The current study's data was part of a longitudinal research program investigating mechanisms of co-occurring pediatric chronic pain and mental health symptoms. The aims of the current study were distinct from previously published articles that have used data from this study, e.g., [22][23][24][25][26].…”

Identifying and Managing Suicidality in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain: Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies

“…Validated measures of negative parental responses to youth pain exist. 120 Parents may receive support and counseling to reduce negative reactions to their children's chronic pain, such as overprotection, and may be referred for psychosocial interventions to increase adaptive responses. 121 For example, in one study, children's fear of pain and parental knowledge of pain were favorably affected by a neuroscience education intervention.…”